PRESS RELEASE | BRUSSELS | OCTOBER 2017 – The INTRAW project consortium is pleased to announce the release of a new brochure presenting three scenarios for the world of raw materials in 2050.

The EU-funded INTRAW project was launched in 2015 with the aim of mapping best practices and boosting cooperation opportunities related to raw materials between the EU and five technologically advanced non-EU countries (Australia, Canada, Japan, South Africa and the United States).

In a truly cooperative approach, the INTRAW project has elaborated, in a series of workshops run in 2016, three scenarios that describe the world of raw materials in 2050. Given the current uncertainties that global politics have to deal with, scenarios are indeed an excellent means to prepare for the future and to safeguard against developments that are not desirable, but yet still plausible. The final scenarios, named “Unlimited Trade”, “Sustainability Alliance” and “National Walls”, are now available on the INTRAW website at http://intraw.eu/the-world-of-raw-materials-2050/and are presented in more detail in a new brochure that you may download at http://intraw.eu/ media-corner.

The next step ahead for the project consortium is now the launch of the International Raw Materials Observatory during the European Commission’s Raw Materials Week (6-10 November 2017). The Observatory is a new independent, apolitical, international not-for profit organisation, set up to support international cooperation on mineral raw materials. The launch of the Observatory intends to provide a glimpse on the services the Observatory will be offering to its members, namely foresight dialogues with key influencers and match-making services for organisations active along the minerals materials value chain. Two major events are scheduled during the Raw Materials Week: the official launch of the Observatory during the EU-Advanced Mining Countries conference on 7 November 2017 and an open roundtable on the challenges of international cooperation on 8 November 2017. More information: http://intraw.eu/launch-of-the-international-raw-materials-observatory/

INTRAW is funded under the European Commission’s Horizon 2020 EU Research and Innovation Programme, for a period of 36 months (February 2015 – January 2018). Under the coordination of the European Federation of Geologists (EFG), INTRAW brings together an international consortium of 15 partners with extensive experience in research, innovation, education, industry, trade and international networking across the entire raw materials value chain.

The IGI runs a free, voluntary mentorship scheme for members. Research shows that mentoring helps both mentees and mentors – both groups have higher salaries, climb their career ladders faster and are more satisfied with their careers overall. More specifically, IGI members stand to benefit from a Mentorship Scheme in order to prepare for chartership, develop Personal Career Plans within the IGI CPD framework and to manage career changes which many of us experience as geoscience professionals. To find out more have a look at our mentorship page

A down-to-earth introduction to sampling theory and practice, laboratory procedures and analytical quality control with an emphasis on practical QA/QC skills for geologists.

David is a Consultant Geologist with 20 years’ experience, including 17 years in Ireland where he became involved in QA/QC at Lisheen Mine. Since 2006 he has been associated with BRG on a range of projects including Xstrata’s Pallas Green zinc-lead project.

Please note that course participants will be required to bring a fully charged laptop for practical sessions (limited charging points available at lunchtime). Course notes will be provided on the day; additional practical data will be emailed in advance of the course.

The meeting will be held in the new O’Brien Centre for Science on the main Belfield campus, located about 6 km southeast of Dublin city centre.

As a result of recently released major state funding in both Ireland and the UK for minerals research, this meeting should prove to be a great opportunity for new researchers to make contacts. Although many parts of the mineral exploration industry are going through a cyclical lull in activity, research starting now should inform exploration when demand for minerals recovers. So apart from presenting the results of recent research, we have much to discuss informally about the future.

The team who travelled to Nagoya, Japan with the bid to host the 2019 INQUA Congress was expertly led by Pete Coxon and Fraser Mitchell. Hosting a conference of c. 3000 delegates will undoubtedly have profound and lasting repercussions for the Quaternary research community in Ireland. The Congress, which will be held in the Convention Centre Dublin, will showcase the Irish landscape, promote Ireland’s research reputation, facilitate the dissemination of our research activities to a wider audience and attract world-class scientists to the country.